Though we're using a 3 year ladder for our illustration, you can grow your money ever more with a longer term ladder.

At the end of the first year 3 of 5

Over the course of a year, your CDs will grow. When your 12 month CD matures, you can choose to take your money if you need to – or you can keep your ladder going by renewing your CD.

Renew into the longest term CD

Longer terms generally pay better rates, so you'll continue your ladder by renewing into a new 3 year CD, purchased at current rates. And you'll repeat this step when your 2 and 3 year CDs mature.

Your ladder going forward 4 of 5

Once all the original CDs have been renewed, the ladder is on autopilot. The CDs in our example will continue to renew automatically into 3 year CDs, one maturing each year, for as long as you'd like. And you'll benefit from 3 year rates while still having access to a portion of your funds annually.

How do I plan my ladder? 5 of 5

Now that you understand the basics, you can choose one of the tools below to help you plan a CD Ladder of your own.

Want to go straight to results?
Use our Quick Calculator to see your estimated balance growth.

Need a little more help?
Use our Step by Step Guide to plan and build a ladder from the ground up.